Pamela Atkinson psychotherapist and counsellor

THERAPY | COUNSELLING

ABOUT ME

I am a UKCP registered, MA qualified Integrative psychotherapist and counsellor with over thirty years of professional experience encompassing both private practice and senior positions in a variety of organisations. I am practical, compassionate and creative with a straightforward, friendly and open manner. While seeking to understand each person’s individual experience, I also recognise the importance of everyday contexts and take into account gender, ethnic identities, class, sexuality, health, family and community, and the political and social spheres.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

As well as running a successful private practice since 1990, I have also provided therapy, training, supervision and consultancy in various organisations.

My experience working in the social care sector as a therapist, supervisor and consultant spans more than twenty years. Working with issues such as childhood sexual abuse, youth offending and rehabilitation, substance use, homelessness, and mental illness deepens and informs my private practice.

While Director of a long established London training institute, The Minster Centre, I designed and taught MA and Diploma courses leading to professional and academic qualifications in psychotherapy and counselling with Middlesex University, the UKCP and BACP. I led a staff group of twenty five psychotherapists and advised and taught hundreds of students over the course of ten years. This experience enables me to take an overview of therapeutic practice and understand how best to work with a wide range of people.

Additionally I have designed and led numerous personal development workshops, groups and events on various themes and given presentations at conferences. I have an ability to connect with people, presenting information in a clear, accessible and relevant way.

I keep up to date with developments in the field of psychotherapy and counselling through Continuing Professional Development and membership of professional interest groups.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Born in New York City, I have lived my adult life mainly in England and also in Italy and Ireland. My personal interests include art, the natural environment and social psychology. I take lots of photographs and I enjoy exploring new places.
Why not book a free trial discussion to see if we would work well together? Use the contact form to get in touch with me.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

As well as running a successful private practice since 1990, I have also provided therapy, training, supervision and consultancy in various organisations.

I keep up to date with developments in the field of psychotherapy and counselling through Continuing Professional Development and membership of professional interest groups.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

ABOUT THERAPY

Most people come to therapy because they are unhappy in some way and want to feel and function better. You might wish to understand yourself more fully, to find new perspectives in order to make new choices, to build resilience and empowerment, to make changes in your life, to take action.

As a therapist I am compassionate, caring and practical. I invite you to tell me about yourself, what you see as problematic in your life and what you are hoping for from therapy. I will work with you towards those aims.

I am experienced in working with

anxiety
depression
shame
grief
trauma
relationship difficulties
history of childhood neglect
history of childhood sexual abuse
low self-esteem and lack of confidence
sense of emptiness, hopelessness, lack of joy, lack of satisfaction
disconnection from self and others
cultural issues
developing into adulthood
ageing

WHAT TO EXPECT IN A THERAPY SESSION

I listen, attune and engage with you with compassion and positive regard. I enquire deeply and create a respectful space in which you feel safe, heard and free to explore matters of deep personal concern. We collaborate, working to expand and deepen an understanding of your life and your story, aiming to identify thoughts and feelings, current and past influences in your life, finding ways to make sense of and update your sense of who you are in the world.

I actively and sensitively respond and contribute ideas and feedback. I do not merely reflect back what you have said. I pay careful attention to your present life situation, aspects of your past including your childhood, the social context in which you live and your experience in the present. Together, through dialogue, we create a narrative to facilitate change. We also work to find ways to understand and soothe difficult or distressing thoughts, emotions and sensations so that you can more easily find and maintain an equilibrium.

Key influences in my work are:

humanistic practices, Gestalt, existentialism, phenomenology, person centred
psychodynamic traditions, Klein, Winnicott, object relations, self-psychology
attachment theory
contemporary ideas of intersubjectivity and the dialogic relationship
current developments regarding embodiment, polyvagal theory, mindfulness and somatic processing

A sense of being safe in your body and feeling grounded is crucial to wellbeing. Developing your ability to calm and contain distressing and disorientating sensations and feelings is a key aim in my work. Regarding yourself with compassion and living a life aligned with your values are also prime objectives.

If you are interested to see if I am the right therapist for you, why not book a free discussion?

WHAT I OFFER

PSYCHOTHERAPY + COUNSELLING

I provide short-term and long-term therapy to adults of all ages and backgrounds. This takes the form of ongoing sessions, usually weekly although other frequencies are possible, to continue for a mutually agreed length of time.

FREE INITIAL MEETING

It is important that clients find the right therapist for them. To facilitate this I offer a free, informal 30 minute discussion to briefly explore your concerns and to see if we would work well together. I use Zoom and WhatsApp and therefore I am able to work with you wherever you are based.

ONLINE + HYBRID WORKING

The majority of my work is now online. Additionally I am able to offer occasional face to face meetings in either London or Cambridge as part of a hybrid working arrangement.

SUPERVISION, MENTORING + PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

With over thirty years of professional experience as a psychotherapist, consultant and trainer I have a wide range of experience to draw on as a supervisor and mentor. I have worked both long term and short term in private practice, with EAPs, third sector charities, in further education and with young people. Additionally my many years as a trainer and course designer enable me to explain theory and methodology simply and clearly and help you make links to how these apply in your practice. This helps people to construct and develop an explicit working model of how they practice which is useful for job seeking, career advancement, further qualification, public speaking and research. My aim as a supervisor is to help you develop your professional identity and build your competence as a practitioner.

I have worked with hundreds of people who are either training to be or are already qualified psychotherapists and counsellors. Over the past few decades I have seen many changes in how psychotherapy and counselling are delivered to clients, how training and accreditation of the profession have developed, how making a living from the profession has adapted to societal trends and also how new initiatives and possibilities for careers have opened up. I am innovative, intelligent and creative and have advised many people on how to maximise their potential professionally.

SINGLE SESSION THERAPY

For people who cannot or do not want to commit to ongoing therapy but would like to have a psychotherapeutically framed overview of their life situation, issues and how to move forward I offer single session therapy. This involves filling out a brief questionnaire in advance of sessions and working to specific aims. Sessions can be 60 or 90 minutes long.

FEES

My fee is UK£70 for a 60 minute remote session of therapy or supervision /mentoring. I am open to discussing a reduction in fees for psychotherapy and counselling trainees and those on a low income.

If you are interested in single session therapy please contact me to discuss fees. Face to face sessions incur an extra charge due to room rental fees.